Huawei secures the top position in China’s tablet market for the second quarter of 2026, riding on a stronger consumer lineup and inventory strategies as demand weakens and costs rise across the sector.
Huawei has taken the top spot in China’s tablet market in the second quarter of 2026, as broader demand weakened and component costs continued to squeeze the sector, according to IDC data cited by Huawei Central. Shipments of tablets in China fell 4.4% year on year in the period, with the downturn deepening from the first quarter as manufacturers faced mounting cost pressure.
Huawei held a 27.1% share of the market, up from 25.5% a year earlier. IDC said the company’s position was supported by a stronger consumer line-up, including the MatePad Pro Max, as well as tighter inventory planning in its commercial business. The report said Huawei had maintained a stable overall performance, even as most of its rivals saw annual declines.
Apple remained in second place with a 24.0% share, a slight annual decline, but benefited from keeping iPad prices unchanged while competitors moved higher. Lenovo was third with 15.6% and posted the sharpest growth among the leading brands, rising 6.2% year on year. Xiaomi slipped to fourth with 9.6%, down from 14.0% in the same quarter last year, while Honor finished fifth at 7.2%.
IDC warned that the pressure from rising costs is likely to become more visible in the second half of 2026 and to continue into 2027. The tablet figures echo a wider pattern in China’s device market: IDC separately reported that smartphone shipments fell 4.3% in the same quarter, with Huawei and Apple the only major vendors to grow, helped by steady pricing and targeted promotions. That suggests premium brands remain better placed than mass-market rivals to withstand the current slowdown.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
